I’m Dr. Douglas Throckmorton, Deputy Center Director of Regulatory Programs for FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Let’s talk about safe drug disposal. AMA!

Hello, Reddit! I’m Dr. Douglas Throckmorton, and I am the Deputy Center Director for Regulatory Programs of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In my current role, I am part of a team responsible for overseeing the regulation of research, development, manufacture, and marketing of prescription, over-the-counter, and generic drugs in the United States.

Prior to joining FDA in 1997, I conducted basic science research and practiced medicine at the Medical College of Georgia and Augusta Veterans Administration Hospital. I received my medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical School and completed my residency at Case Western Reserve University and my fellowship at Yale University.

Proper disposal of unused or expired prescription drugs is integral to the safety of patients, their families, and communities. Medicines play an important role in treating certain conditions and diseases, but they must be taken with care. Unused doses of these medicines must be disposed of properly to avoid harm from accidental exposure or intentional misuse by the patient or others.

I will be answering questions about safe prescription drug disposal, preferred methods of drug disposal, and FDA’s “flush list” of medicines on Wednesday, March 11, starting at 1:30 p.m. EDT (10:30 a.m. PDT). Ask Me Anything!